Regional Training Group – Lightfoots (Central Massachusetts)

The Free Jacks Academy includes 13 Regional Training Groups (RTGs) to better connect athletes and coaches at the local level through a series of tracking days, clinics, 365 virtual skill and fitness programming, and identification opportunities to play into the Junior Jacks Academy squads or the Independents Senior Development squads.

Free Jacks Regional Training Group tracking days aim to:

• To provide Learn To Play opportunities across New England (Youth)
• To provide developmental opportunities for High School, Collegiate and Club athletes as well as coaches, administrators, referees and volunteers.
• To provide an initial identification opportunity for selection to the Junior Jacks and Independents (boys and girls, men and women programs).
• To connect and collaborate with existing rugby infrastructure (clubs, school, state-based organizations) to deliver on its mission of enhancing the rugby experience for those that currently play and to also increase the number of participants in the game.

Program Outline

Time	Session	Ages	Objective
11:00 – 12:15	Learn To Play	5-9 & 10-14 Girls and Boys.	Learn To Play the Game with fun skills & Fundamentals!
12:30 – 3:00	Junior Jacks Tracking Group	Under 16, Under 18, Under 20, Girls and Boys.	Develop Fundamental Skills, Fundamental Skill and Physical Performance Evaluations.
12:30 – 3:00	New England Independents Tracking Group	Under 23 and Over 23, Women and Men.	Develop Fundamental Skills, Fundamental Skill and Physical Performance Evaluations.

Learn To Play

Ages: 6-14

Objective: To teach the game, its encompassing values, and the Free Jacks way in a system manufactured with fun, safety and connection as a priority.

Learn the Free Jack way through learning fundamental skills, and develop understanding of the game in a 70:30 safe/small sided game/fundamental skill split.

Price: $15

Includes:

• Free Jacks introduction to rugby training session (1-hour)
• Free Jacks Academy T-Shirt
• Email notifications of practice
  • • Training locations
    • Featured coaches
    • Practice plan
    • Key Learnings & Rugby 101

Duration: 1 hr

Junior Jacks

Ages: 14 – 20 (Under 16, Under 18, Under 20 – girls and boys)

Objective: To evaluate fundamental skills and physical performance. Train and Develop understanding of the 5 pillars of rugby within the Free Jack way and the accompanying skill sets. Apply newfound skills and knowledge in small sided games manufactured to add time and space constraints.

Athletes that demonstrate exceptional performance and or potential will be selected for the Free Jacks Performance Track and invited to future Junior Jacks events at U16, U18 and U20 levels.

Price: $40

Includes:

• Free Jacks Tracking & Development session (120 minutes)
• Free Jacks Academy T-Shirt
• Personalized Tracking Day Feedback – Fundamental Skills & Baseline Performance results
• Email notifications of practice
  • • Training locations
    • Featured coaches
    • Practice plan
    • Key Learnings

Duration: 2 hrs

 

New England Independents Tracking & Development

Ages: 21+ (Women and Men)

Objective: To evaluate fundamental skills and physical performance. Train and Develop understanding of the 5 pillars of rugby within the Free Jack way and the accompanying skill sets. Apply newfound skills and knowledge in small sided games manufactured to add time and space constraints.

Athletes that demonstrate exceptional performance and or potential will be selected for the Free Jacks Performance Track and invited to future events at the Independents level.

Price: $40

Includes:

• Free Jacks Tracking & Development session (120 minutes)
• Free Jacks Academy T-Shirt
• Personalized Tracking Day Feedback – Fundamental Skills & Baseline Performance results
• Email notifications of practice
  • Training locations
  • Featured coaches
  • Practice plan
  • Key Learnings

Duration:2 hrs

Coaches, Referees and Administrators:

We’d love to meet all coaches, staff, referees and ambassadors of the game! Join us on the field and meet the Free Jacks team, players, and staff as we build a network across the Regional Training Groups. Email Tom Kindley ([email protected]) and Oliver Engelhart ([email protected]) to get involved!

Objective: To network with fellow coaches, referees and administrators within the RTG, and meet Free Jacks coordinators and coaches. To get involved in the sessions and meet and greet for 30 minutes post event to brainstorm future events and further collaboration.